Cloud computing
In common a platform is anything that can run applications and store data in IT sectors. In your organization’s data centers, for example, you might have computers running Windows Server and other software that provide a platform for your in-house applications. A cloud platform is the same thing: It’s a foundation for running applications and storing data. The biggest difference is that it runs in data centers owned by an external service provider, such as Microsoft, and it’s accessed via the Internet. Both your organization’s employees and your customers can use the applications and data made available by a cloud platform
REASONS
Familiarity of Windows
Azure is based on Windows, in that you can write your own applications in the sample programming language. Usually all are used Visual Basic, C++, C#, etc. But we can also use the tools like Visual Studio, along with ASP.NET and other familiar Windows technologies. It’s easier for the software’s by using create Azure platform by the well known persons. It’s easier to create cloud version of an existing windows application.
64-bit Windows VMs
Application are also run in the virtual machine that are run in Azure, with each instance of the app running in its own VM on the 64-bit Windows Server 2008 operating system designing of this are also made to be run specifically for the cloud. Applications are not needed any of the deal with managing and maintaining the os, they are developed by Web role instances or worker role instances that run in their own VMs.
Azure SDK
Microsoft are provided the kit(SDK) for developing software, which included a version of the Azure environment that can run on your own computer they are called as the Azure development fabric, and it had its agent and also the storage. Working can be done in locally and after the program are run and executed you can upload it to cloud. From Microsoft tools can be downloaded whatever you want for Vista Studio 2008 and 2010.
Scalability and flexibility
Application can be easily created easily by Using Azure, which run reliably and scale from 10 to 10 thousand or even 10 million users-without any additional coding. This provided scalable, secure, performance-efficient storage service by cloud.
After create a Web app specifies the number of processors for the application to use is can be able to set. It’s easy to change the settings to use more processors if the application needs to scale up to meet growing demand. The "pay as you go/pay as you grows" approach lets you bring your new apps to market sooner and respond more quickly to changes in your customers' needs.
Cost benefits and pricing model
Administration cost is also reduced due to the maintenance of your own hardware. The cost of creating, testing, debugging, and distributing Web-based applications goes down because you have to pay only for the computer processing time and storage space you need at a given time.
Data center in the cloud
SQL Azure provides organizations with all the benefits of an enterprise-class data center without the hassle, headaches, and cost of maintaining of entity. No more worries about backing up data yourself.
Support resources
The same familiar tools and technologies as other Windows platforms, you can take advantage of the well-established support structure within Microsoft and company-provided resources, such as TechNet and MSDN, along with the huge ecosystem of Windows developers outside the company.
Interoperability
You can develop hybrid applications that allow your on-premises applications to use cloud services, such as the cloud database and storage services. Communications services work between on-premises applications and the cloud, as well as mobile devices.
Azure supports open standards and Internet protocols, such as HTTP, XML, SOAP, and REST. There are SDKs for Java, PHP, and Ruby, for applications written in those languages, and Azure tools for Eclipse.
Security
Microsoft designed Azure with security in mind, knowing that security is one of the biggest concerns for companies considering a move to the cloud. The .NET Access Control Service provides a way to integrate identities, and Security Assertion Markup Language (SAML) tokens are used by applications to determine whether a user is allowed access. Microsoft has designed its compliance framework to meet regulatory requirements
Something for everyone
Windows Azure can benefit hosting providers, ISVs, systems integrators, and custom software developers. Hosting providers can expand their services to areas where they don't have existing infrastructure and add new services without more infrastructure investment. ISVs can use Azure to create, deploy, and manage Web apps without large capital expenditures, and they can scale those applications more quickly and cost effectively. Systems integrators can take advantage of Azure's ability to work with existing on-premise infrastructures. Custom software developers can create software solutions for customers who can't afford the costs of in-house development, including hardware costs, and they can deliver their applications to customers as services without building and maintaining an expensive data center.
